Fundición Ventanas

Fundición Ventanas is a copper smelter plant in Quintero, Valparaíso Region, Chile.[1] It is owned by Codelco.[2] The plant produces a significant amount of sulfuric acid. Its emissions of sulfur dioxide, an atmospheric contaminant, is within the limits allowed by Chilean environmental law but below international standards.[1] According to Codelco's CEO André Sougarret one of the problems of Fundición Ventanas is that on a third of the year's days meteorological "condictions are adverse for the dispersal" of its gas emissions.[2]

In June 2022 the government of Chile announced that a closure process for the plant was to begin.[1] Its workers have protested against the closure.[1] There is no consensus on where to build a new larger and more modern plant in replacement. Antofagasta Region or Atacama Region has been proposed by Chilean industry scholars as viable replacements.[1] Others have argued for keeping smelting in Valparaíso Region given the existence of nearby mines.[1] While some argue the replacement plant should be near the coast, inland Chuquicamata and El Salvador have also been proposed as alternatives.[1] The president of the National Mining Society (Sonami), Diego Hernández, estimates the construction period for a new smelter plant to be 5 to 7 years.[1]